11 week of pregnancy

11 weeks of pregnancy means the end of the first trimester is near. Everything that happens to the baby and his mother is of great importance.

How to count weeks?
11 obstetric weeks of gestation means 9 from conception. For more information on the methods for calculating the term, click here. If, for some reason, it is impossible to calculate the period for the first day of the last menstruation, before the twelfth week, doctors will still have time to calculate the period using alternative methods.

Fetal development

The whole baby is now about the size of a lime. The body length is 44-60 mm, and the weight is about 8 g.

All organs and systems of the child are already formed. They are in a different state. For example, a tiny heart has been beating fully for a long time. And there is no skeleton yet, the bone tissue remains in the cartilaginous stage. The blood contains so far only red blood cells (red blood cells), and leukocytes are formed later. But the vocal cords have almost developed, although the baby will not need it soon.

At the 11th week, the following are actively developing:

intestinal tract;
liver (it “occupies” 10% of the weight of the whole fetus);
muscles of the neck and chest;
irises of the eyes;
blood vessels;
lungs, bronchi and trachea;
tendons;
membranes disappear on the toes;
an individual skin pattern appears on the tips of the fingers;
the grasping reflex begins to develop;
the formation of the rudiments of milk teeth continues.

Right now, the baby usually begins to move his head.

This is how the fetus looks at 11 weeks (clickable):

An ultrasound scan at 11 weeks will show a clearly visible outline of a little man. On high-class equipment, with a particularly successful location of the baby, it is already possible to determine its gender. However, the data may not be accurate.

In a twin (or triple) pregnancy, the development of each child is about the same as in a singleton pregnancy. At the same time, little people can noticeably (by a few millimeters) differ from each other in growth. It's quite normal.

Photo of ultrasound:

Signs and feelings of the expectant mother

The main and brightest experience at the 11th week is the weakening of toxicosis (if any). The nausea gradually diminishes or stops completely. Many dishes and products cease to be disgusting by their mere appearance. Emotions are gradually returning to normal. It is no longer so often that there is a desire to cry or throw out aggression. However, most often toxicosis lasts another one to two weeks.

What sensations and manifestations of pregnancy may remain the same:

heartburn, constipation;
breast tenderness;
darkening of the skin around the nipples;
small growth of the mammary glands;
colostrum discharge (if they were not there before, they may appear);
headaches, migraines;
distraction and inattention.

At the 11th week, the hormones of the expectant mother usually come into a special state. The fear of losing the baby gradually disappears. The woman begins to fully realize her motherhood and its joys.

A new physical sensation may appear - a feeling of heat. Doctors explain it by an increase in blood volume and increased blood flow. The body begins to generate more heat, so sweating and increased thirst can occur along with the heat. No need to worry. If the temperature does not rise when you feel hot, then this is not a cold.

Now you need to carefully monitor your hair, nails and teeth. If the nails often break, and the teeth often begin to suffer from caries (or the gums begin to bleed), the baby clearly lacks calcium. It is imperative that you inform your doctor about warning signs.

At 11 weeks gestation, the growing uterus takes up almost all of the space between the pelvic bones. Its volume is about ten times less than it will be before childbirth. Most recently, the tummy was barely visible, now it can grow noticeably. But if you do not wear tight-fitting clothes, others will not notice yet.

Photo of tummies at 11 weeks (clickable):

Intimate life

If intimate life is enjoyable, there is no reason to give it up. In some cases, a grown tummy gets in the way. In this case, you can experiment a little. Then there will definitely be positions in which sex will only be a joy. Contraindications to sexual activity are:

polyhydramnios;
multiple pregnancy;
identified threat of miscarriage.

During the first trimester, sex is sometimes accompanied by feelings of fear or pain in the genitals (during or after intercourse). No problems need to be kept within and / or hidden from the child's father. For any sexual problems, only frankness and mutual understanding will help.

Discharge, pain and complications

By the 11th obstetric week, the internal organs around the uterus have usually already changed their position in the abdominal cavity. Therefore, pain in the lower abdomen and lower back should stop. The stomach can also hurt with intestinal disorders. Only a doctor will help here, he will prescribe a special diet. Pain during urination may appear. They usually indicate cystitis (inflammation of the urinary tract), which requires medical attention.

It is normal for the vagina to have uniform white or clear mucus. Discharge is considered a cause for alarm:

similar to cottage cheese;
yellow;
brown;
with an unpleasant odor.

If you have bright spotting or real bleeding, a doctor is needed urgently. These alarming symptoms indicate a threat of miscarriage, that is, death and rejection of the fetus.
Another complication is a frozen pregnancy. At the same time, the development of the fetus stops, but it remains in the uterus. The main symptom of such a pathology is the abrupt and sudden disappearance of all manifestations of pregnancy. Removal of the dead fetus is carried out by doctors in a hospital.
If a pregnant woman has not had rubella before, contact with such patients should be avoided by all means. This contagious disease causes multiple pathologies in fetal development.

Recommendations

Now many unpleasant sensations are receding. The expectant mother has time to make plans and take care of herself. The main thing is not to forget about the basic rules.

Nutrition

At the 11th obstetric week, the mother's diet should be thought out and balanced. The baby will need a lot of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus now and in the future. These trace elements are needed for the proper growth of the rudiments of milk teeth, bones and the good functioning of the fetal heart. How to get the right substances in food?

Fish, especially red fish, are rich in phosphorus. Onions and carrots contain this trace element in small quantities.
Calcium suppliers are dairy products.
Magnesium is found in cereals, berries, fresh fruits.

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For the full assimilation of calcium, the body needs vitamin D (available in the liver). It is also produced naturally when the sun shines on our skin (no matter whether it is direct light or diffused light). That is why obligatory walks are recommended for pregnant women.

Meals should still be baked, boiled, or steamed. It is advisable to add onions and garlic to food - these are natural enemies of microbes and infections.

The bans remain the same:
alcohol and nicotine (including secondhand smoke);
cakes, pastries, rolls and candies;
canned food;
spicy dishes and smoked meats;
multi-colored soda;
fried foods.

Proper nutrition means a good metabolism and a healthy weight. Now it is considered the norm if the scales "plus" no more than 0.5 kg per week.

Doctor's supervision

If you have not yet registered with the antenatal clinic, it's time to do it. The gynecologist will collect basic data (height, weight, pelvic size), conduct a survey (marital status, are there any seriously ill household members or relatives in the patient's environment). In addition, you will need to be tested for various diseases (HIV, syphilis, hepatitis, genital infections).

Based on the results of the tests, the doctor will prescribe the intake of vitamins for pregnant women and other auxiliary medicines. For example, iron or folic acid preparations.

It is advisable to visit the dentist more often, as various gum diseases can occur during pregnancy.

Lifestyle

There are several more important recommendations that it is advisable to follow.

Gymnastics for pregnant women, yoga, swimming. Physical activity will help to establish metabolism, will not allow excess weight to appear.
Positive emotions. Refuse to watch films that are too serious or scary, do not read books with scary content. Visit exhibitions and museums (not anatomical).
Comfortable shoes with low heels. Edema and varicose veins literally haunt many pregnant women.
No overwork and lack of sleep.
Make plans. Think about what you want to do or find out before giving birth. Perhaps it's ribbon embroidery or scrapbooking. Or a foreign language? After giving birth, many hobbies will have to be postponed for a long time.

Attentive mothers will definitely notice how pregnancy gradually becomes a real joy.

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